Why is the average Atheist IQ higher than the Theist IQ?

Question

Link: http://www.rationalresponders.com/forum/the_rational_response_squad_radio_show/general_conversation_introductions_and_humor/10511

The survey concluded that "high levels of organic atheism are strongly correlated with high levels of societal health, such as low homicide rates, low poverty rates, low infant mortality rates, and low illiteracy rates, as well as high levels of educational attainment, per capita income, and gender equality. Most nations characterized by high degrees of individual and societal security have the highest rates of organic atheism, and conversely, nations characterized by low degrees of individual and societal security have the lowest rates of organic atheism. In some societies, particularly Europe, atheism is growing. However, throughout much of the world -- particularly nations with high birth rates -- atheism is barely discernable."

Answer 1

Why is it a fact that all Christians I know are college educated. Because I attend a Christian college. Facts are relative. I doubt your facts are true as well as mine.

Answer 2

I respect your right to choose, so don't think I'm trying to sway you to my own view. However, I just wanted to let you know that your "facts" aren't very convincing.

1) Your source is biased. (Try a government site, it might be more credible).

2) A correlation between atheism and societies that have fewer problems does not logically indicate that atheism was the cause of the good statistics.

People often turn to God at those times they are most in need. It makes sense that they would turn away from Him when they feel no need for divine intervention.

Answer 3

I think often religious people don't overly think. They just follow what they were first taught whilst at a critical stage of learning. Those that manage to throw that off, are of course those who have that cognitive capacity. I think it's rare for it to go the other way, a child who was raised to think as they wished becoming extremely zealous in an organized faith, although many become very personally spiritual.

A lot of it is too to do with education and an ability to benefit from that and not just follow blind doctrine.

Answer 4

I'm a Christian and don't have a very high IQ, but I think it is because the Theist out numbers the atheist 50:1, so the average is going to look like that

Answer 5

1 Corinthians 1:26

"Not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called."


By the way, for the person above who thinks Einstein was an atheist, here is a quote of his:
"Everyone who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the universe -- a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble."

Answer 6

1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Psa 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Answer 7

Urban legend...

Honestly, the site you posted doesn't give us any actual IQ scores
And the survey link doesn't work.

I've met some really stupid atheists...
And some really stupid Christians...
I've also met some really stupid Pagans and Wiccans...
and one guy who was sure he was an actual vampire, and we had been married in a former life...

I've met some really intelligent atheists (although not very many in this particular forum, sad to say)
And some really intelligent Christians
Some really intelligent, (and very nice), Pagans and Wiccans...

Basically, unless you can provide some real proof of your generalizations, I'm forced to think you are probably a bit biased...

Answer 8

Take a guess. To be honest, I'm a member of the RRS and do work online with Sapient (The group's 'head'). But the RRS is biased in their research, and I can say that as a member, That said, it doesn't lessen the validity of their claims. I've also ran a survey myself. Personally asking many different people to take a survey. The survey concluded the following:

85% of people interviewed believed bulls hate the color red.

85% is oddly the percentage of people in the US who believe God exists. (For those that don't know, Bulls are colorblind. )

In addition, their list of the ten least religious countries is a tad off; communist China is (by law) atheist. You'd think they'd be number one.

Conclusively, I do believe atheists (in general) have higher IQs or just a general sense of awareness than religious people or theists do. Anyone can be a Christian: Christianity has no limits to who can join, they welcome everybody...Atheism, is reserved for educated people.

Answer 9

Takes more thought to challenge what you're told than it does to accept it. Those who challenge it successfully become Atheists. Those intelligent enough to challenge it successfully are the Atheists competing with the failures who couldn't break out of religion in the IQ test poll. I think that the reason is explained in the question.

Answer 10

The correlation is not one of IQ but social prosperity. High rates of poverty and often despair drive people to religion so they can feel all of their suffering is for some higher reason.

Answer 11

Can't let you get away with that one.
In highly developed countries atheists are more intelligent than atheists in less developed countries. In some countries atheism is growing in numbers. In countries with growing numbers atheism is less evident.
So your conclusion is that atheists are more intelligent than theists? I think the conclusion may beg the point.